De Ridder (8): the Octopus

(Page 8 of the Childrens book I wrote for my grandchildren. It's in Dutch, but this is the English translation. I finished it yesterday.)

The Knight had to cover his ears again, and walked to the animal to check it out properly. He had to shout: “Hello Hydra! Listen, for a nice little reward I could solve your problem!”

The seven heads looked to each other and said simultaneously: “Okay. This pot holds a nice and fitting present. It will make you think of this sweet creature. Will that do?”. “We have a deal!” the Knight said.

He flew to the roof on his horse and lowered a rope through the chimney. With a heavy pull the animal came loose. It was a regular Octopus! She was probably lost in the storm!

The Knight pointed to Octopus. ”Look at that! An Octopus. She is clearly a long way from home and the sea. But I will take her home”.

The Hydra blushed out of shame. Stuttering the heads told each other: “I am so sorry, Forgive me, I didn’t mean all I said. I do like you. Can we be friends again? Just like old times?”

And so everything was okay again. They spit a little fire to celebrate.

The Knight waved goodbye and quickly carried the Octopus to the sea.

De Ridder (7): the Hydra

 

Page 7 of "The Knight" (or in Dutch: "De Ridder"). A Children's book that I am writing and illustrating for my grandchildren.

“Aha” the knight said, “I will see what I can do.” He climbed the steep road towards the ruin. De smell of Sulphur and old fire was unbearable. And so was the harsh shouting. Obviously a fierce quarrel.

Inside the cave he was surprised to see a loudly quarreling seven headed dragon, and another strange tentacled creature. The Knight had to shout to get over the terrible noise. He said “I am the Knight who does not know who he is. What’s going on here?”

The seven heads fell silent for a brief moment. Then the first spoke: “We are the Hydra. Last week’s storm made this beautiful creature fall through our ceiling!” The second head shouted: “And now you think that she is in love with YOU?” And the third: “How can she love you, with your ugly yellow teeth!” “Hear, who is calling names!” ”You’re just jealous!” “Who? On you? Ha!”.

In seconds the noise was deafening.

De Ridder (6): Jake

Page 6 of "the strange travels of Lord Pentamundo or in Dutch: "De vreemde avonturen van Ridder Jeroen".

Now our Knight knew what to do: four quests to win the heart the Countess.

So he jumped on his flying horse and flew away. But it was late, and the sun set slowly behind the dark shadow of another castle.

Suddenly he heard a young boy sobbing. He was sitting on a fence and staring at his dark lantern.

The Knight asked curiously: “My dear boy, what is troubling you? How can I be of service?”

The boy looked up and said: “I am Jake, and I live in that little village over there. Since the storm of last week we don’t have any fire or light left!”   

The Knight looked to the dark village.

Jake went on: “A seven-headed and fire spitting dragon lives in the tower of that castle. But she is very sweet: she offers us her fire for free. And that is so sparkling and beautiful that we are able to sell it to the other villages."

"But now we don’t get anything anymore. We don’t know what to do now!"